First Visit

On June 15^th 2021 I went to Isha Yoga Centre for the first time to attend a 7-month long program called Sadhanapada. A program, extensively based on Yoga, Seva, Meditation and Internal Growth. This program changed the view of my life.

Since I was initiated into inner engineering in 2016, I wanted to go to Isha Yoga Centre but couldn’t go because of many reasons. But this time I took a leap and grabbed the opportunity. I had to leave my job and hear lot of backstabbing but I managed to reach the ashram for the program.

All my life I was a dumbass introvert persona because of which I was restrained to experiment new things. But when you come across the so-called bigger picture the miraculous Sadhguru, you wouldn’t want to mess up with anything and with his grace I could make few good-hearted friends whom I could accommodate in my bigger family.

So, this program starts with an orientation program and the content of this 5 days program was surprising to me. And on the occasion of Guru Purnima, we were officially called the “Sadhanapada participants”

Every year during Guru Purnima Sadhguru keeps a satsang and take us through meditation. But this time due to pandemic I was not fortunate to get the opportunity and we could avail only online darshan. But when he arrived near the hall for the event he went from my side and that sight of him made me crazy for him, he was joining hands and saying Namaskaram to everyone he comes across. and he saw me and did the same. Finished. I was lost then and there. Just like a magic I felt the energy.

Start

So during Sadhanapada we must wakeup early by 4.30 am and by 5.30am we have to start our practices with guru pooja. So, in My initial months, I was doing my early morning practices without fail. But after a month due to my skin problems and health issue I was not able to do my practices early in the morning. But whatever hurdles came I made sure I never miss my Shamabhavi Mahamudra practice even once.

The beautiful thing about being in this type of energy space is if you give totally into it, many things change within you and you start seeing life in a beautiful way. For understanding this you must at least perform one yogic practice which you have been initiated into and most importantly you must not be judgmental.

So, when this was going on the Sadhanapada team asked me to perform Guru Pooja in our practice area not daily but they used to call me on intervals. So the Gopi Anna who was the coordinator assigned me guru Pooja coincidentally only on days which were special like Sadhguru’s birthday, Pournami’s etc. When he used to call or come to me saying that I have to do guru pooja the previous day I would say no but he will say Sadhguru wants so you do. And truly it was his grace.

MID

When I was in ashram, temple was not a daily thing because most of the time, we have to run to perform Seva(volunteering) and are busy. So, whenever I get a gap, I used to go and visit. And in the initial phase of my Sadhanapada the temples would be closed for the outsider on Friday, Saturday and Sunday so those time I used to sit for longer periods in Dhyanlinga as the temple will be still and silent.

During this time, we were advised to eat our meals only twice a day… but my compulsion was such that I have even visited the famous “Pepper Vine” restaurant to calm my taste buds… but tried to control on a later stage.

This was also the time when we had to undergo through various advance program like Anna Seva (only for Sadhanapada participants), BSP and Shoonya, which was a different experience altogether (If I want to share the experience, please comment below I will do it in my next post). I did my first fast during Ekadashi in the ashram which was tough and during Ekadashi we had to go for pradikshna from Dhyanlinga to Adiyogi statue and back to Dhyanlinga. But due to my skin issue I did the pradikshna till my extent possible.

During these days in the ashram, I made sure that I come in touch with earth and because of my companions who made me go on the grass without footwear I experienced Soil in a totally different way. Also, the best aspect of being in ashram was that I ended the 2021 year with a Sadhguru darshan and Nada Aradhana – a Sound offering in Dhyanlinga temple.

END

The last months with the preparation of Mahashivratri particularly being in the Devi Procession was the best part. Definitely I had the skin issue, but I kept all my excuses away just for Devi and Sadhguru which really led to a change. If you have kept yourself away from your ideas and prejudice you will experience the grace.

All the pains and suffering will transform in love and bliss. The kind of love and bonding with people who were there with me in my surrounding was indefinite. I stopped thinking what they will think if I act crazy, and in return we all become crazy and stable bunch of people.  

And the best part of whole journey was serving in Bhiksha hall, Sadhguru darshans, Velliangiri Yatra ( Southern Kailash) and Mahashivratri. When I was there in the ashram, I had these wonderful opportunities to be with Sadhguru. But his presence for me is there whether he is physically there or not.

When it was time to leave, we all became very desperate and sad. Not able to control our tears as by the end of the program we all united and gelled up so well. And the last few days I spent my whole time in Devi and Dhyanlinga temple.

Mahashivratri was insane thing, from carrying Devi and dancing and a night fully covered with sand and dancing whole night with sadguru staying awake and dance like there is no other tomorrow…

These 7 months was a ride from intensity, pain, bliss, love and devotion. Frankly I don’t know what had changed but something within me is transformed; the way I approach the life now is totally different.

Sadhanapada

Thousands of seekers

Came into his lap,

Some to find answers,

Some to find their path,

Some to get clarity,

Some to get dissolved,

And so on,

But when he opened up the doors,

All became one,

Which left them into the raptures of ecstasy and bliss,

How to say Sadhanapada is over,

When it has just begun for us.

Shambho